The Sunderland Echo was founded in 1873 by Samuel Storey, a local businessman and politician, along with a group of fellow Liberal Party supporters. They established the newspaper to provide a voice for the growing industrial city of Sunderland and to counter the influence of conservative-leaning publications in the region. Today, the Sunderland Echo is owned by JPIMedia, a large media company that operates numerous local newspapers across the United Kingdom. Based in Sunderland, a city in the North East of England, the Sunderland Echo covers a wide range of local news topics, including politics, crime, education, health, and community events. The newspaper is particularly known for its extensive coverage of Sunderland A.F.C., the local football club, which has a passionate following in the area. The Echo also reports on regional and national news that affects the Sunderland community. One interesting fact: The Sunderland Echo has a long-standing tradition of supporting local charities and community initiatives. One of its most notable campaigns was the “Old Folks' Fund,“ which ran for over 70 years and raised millions of pounds to provide Christmas gifts and support for elderly residents in the Sunderland area.